August 2015 Skynotes: Altair in the Constellation Aquila

Wide field image of Altair in the Constellation Aquila

This evening was amazingly clear and the MilkyWay was was completely dominating the night sky and just a wonderful sight. The night was so full of stars it was difficult to make out some constellations because of the myriad of stars.

The attached image is roughly centred on the star Altair (alpha Aquilae) the brightest star in the constellation and to either side are the stars Tarazed (gamma Aquilae, above right) and Alshain (beta Aquilae lower right) forming a trio of prominent stars. All easily seen with the naked eye on a clear night.
To the RH side of Tarazed is the Dark Nebula Barnard 143.

Altair, along with Vega and Deneb forms part of the summer triangle.
Altair is a main-sequence dwarf, class A1 V star and the brightest star in the constellation of Aquila, approximately 16.8 light years away.

Just outside the image is the aptly named Coathanger, Brocchi's Cluster which is easily seen with a pair of small binoculars. It can be found by following the line formed by Alshain, Altair & Tarazed not quite half way between Altair & Vega.